Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 56
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
ईश्वर उवाच । महापराक्रमनिधे दानवोत्तम सन्मते । गजासुर प्रसन्नोस्मि स्वानकूलं वरं वृणु
īśvara uvāca | mahāparākramanidhe dānavottama sanmate | gajāsura prasannosmi svānakūlaṃ varaṃ vṛṇu
ईश्वर म्हणाले—हे महापराक्रमनिधी, हे दानवोत्तम, हे सन्मती गजासुर! मी तुझ्यावर प्रसन्न आहे; तुला अनुकूल असा वर माग।
Lord Shiva (Īśvara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Boons (vara) are a common Purāṇic mechanism showing Śiva’s sovereignty: He can bind through tirodhāna (by allowing egoic wishes) or liberate through anugraha (by granting transformative boons).
Significance: Teaches discernment in asking boons; Śiva’s prasāda is accessible even to adversarial beings, highlighting universal lordship and the primacy of grace.
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as Īśvara— the compassionate Lord who, when pleased, grants grace even to a Dānava. In Shaiva Siddhānta terms, it points to Pati (Śiva) as the supreme bestower of anugraha (divine favor), urging the seeker to ask for a boon aligned with dharma and liberation rather than bondage.
Śiva speaks in a personal, saguna mode— approachable, responsive, and relational— which is the devotional foundation of Liṅga worship. The Liṅga signifies Śiva’s accessible presence: through pūjā, mantra, and surrender, the devotee seeks Śiva’s prasāda (pleasure) and guidance toward the highest good.
The takeaway is to cultivate “prasannatā” of Śiva through steady worship— daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offering water/bilva to the Liṅga, and wearing vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) with reverence— then to pray for a boon that supports vairāgya, purity, and devotion.